Man believed to have attempted suicide before officer shot him at Elk Grove hotel

A man shot Saturday by Elk Grove police at a local hotel is believed to have shot himself in an suicide attempt before officers arrived, according to a Police Department news release.

The man, identified as 26-year-old Nolberto Hernandez Leon of Sacramento, died after he allegedly raised a handgun at police and was subsequently shot by an officer.

Elk Grove police received 911 calls from guests at the Extended Stay America, 2201 Longport Court, about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Callers reported hearing yelling coming from a room and a gunshot, then saw a man in the hallway area with blood around his torso. The callers told the 911 operator that there had been some type of party or gathering in the room before the gunshot was heard, the news release said.

When officers arrived, they found a man, later identified as Leon, in a hotel hallway. Officers saw that Leon was armed with a handgun and negotiated with him for about 20 minutes. During that time, Leon fired five shots from the handgun in the hallway, the news release said.

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After trying continuously for about 20 minutes to get Leon to put down the gun and allow officers to provide him emergency medical treatment, Leon raised the gun in the direction of the officers, according to the news release. A patrol sergeant with 22 years of law enforcement experience, fearing for his safety, the safety of officers and hotel guests, fired two shots from his service weapon, striking Leon, according to police.

Fire Department personnel pronounced Leon dead at the scene.

"Based on statements and evidence at the scene, detectives believe Leon began making suicidal threats and then intentionally shot himself once in the stomach prior to officers arriving on scene and contacting him," the news release said.

The Elk Grove Police Department’s Investigation Bureau is investigating the shooting, in keeping with standard practice for officer-involved shootings, according to the news release. Two other investigations into the shooting, one by the Elk Grove Police Department's Professional Standards Bureau and one by the Sacramento County District Attorney Office, also are being conducted.

The patrol sergeant involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave, in accordance with department policy.